A few rumors here today have Joel going to Castleford for 2011, then he will join Michael at Warrington in 2012.

Also News from Sydney, was reported on the radio that Orford is leaning towards the Raiders over Parramatta, he's just waiting to get a release from Bradford.

Sure, and of course that wasn't what I was suggesting. What I was suggesting is that it's a sign of status and intention regardless of if it means player x,y or z plays in that position or not. To release the squad numbers now suggests that Potter is laying his cards on the table and saying "this is the squad", when we all know (or at least hope) that isn't the case. But I'm not party to club politics or player negotiation so this is just throwing ideas in the wind really!

Oh I know what you mean. If we were to release numbers and leave No.6 blank, anyone negotiating with the club would immediately know that we really do want a Stand Off to sign, and may therefore up their asking price.

Which is why I'd leave a generic number open. But as I say, I'm sure the club know better than I, so they'll know what they're doing.

thats disingenous to say the least. He'd already got a release from bradford provided someone, either a club or orford himself, pays the compensation we've asked for. WE arent going to allow him to walk away from a 2 year deal for nothing and afaik we've got RFL backing to sit on his registration until issue is resolved without having to either pay him or have his wage count on our salary cap. Balls entirely in Orford/NRL clubs court so dont know why they keep saying its bradford holding things up.

I don't think French players have ever counted on the cap, surely it would be illegal to discriminate against fellow EU nationals?

It's one of those stupid "not quota but not homegrown" rules, although I don't know why. To me, as soon as Catalans were put in Super League they should have counted as homegrown. They didn't though, they counted the same as the Kolpak lot I think.

They definitely are changing it this year so they are homegrown as it was mentioned when we announced Elima's signing.

you've got it pretty much spot on apart from the 'wording'. they wont count as homegrown as thats the phrasing used for clubs academy products. Phrase your looking for is federation trained. Up until this year french players counted as non-fed trained (basically old kolpak), from next year onwards for purposes of quota they will be classed a federation trained. Basically we're now including the french governing body under the aegis of SL for quota rules same as NRL include new zealand governing body under NRL rules.

more news on orford www.theaustra lian.com.au/news/spo rt/bradford-yet-to-d ecide-whether-to-rel ease-homesick-halfba ck-matt-orford/story -e6frg7mf-1225959720 621

more news on orford www.theaustra lian.com.au/news/spo rt/bradford-yet-to-d ecide-whether-to-rel ease-homesick-halfba ck-matt-orford/story -e6frg7mf-1225959720 621

Interesting how the Aussies like to negotiate via the media isn't it?

does this mimis bloke live on a different planet to the rest of us? how has he got the gall to claim we're refusing to speak to him when he went on holiday and refused to discuss orfords contract with us (despite carrying on negotiations with NRL clubs). Think he's blowing smoke regarding us having to start paying 2nd year of awfuls contract.

What benefit does it have for us to wait till 30th of november and start paying orford for second year of his deal?

also would he not have to return for us to start paying him?

maybe we will pay off Hall before 30th and then we have enough room for him under quota strengthening our hand?

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